As a fitness leader with a penchant for athletic event planning and a personal experience with cancer treatment, it’s not surprising the idea surfaced to launch an open-water fundraising swim to assist Bowen Islanders in cancer treatment.
I have dreamed of creating this event since my own medical marathon with breast cancer treatment in 2013.
It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done and the experience left me wondering how people manage to get through the full-time job of cancer treatment with all its delightful side effects for months at a time — without an income.
I stepped away from my business for 14 months (second hardest thing I’ve ever done) and was beyond fortunate to have access to the services and support that got me through: massage, acupuncture, nutritional coaching, physiotherapy, pedicures, food delivery, meditation, restorative yoga etc.
When I arrived at the finish line I knew I wanted to give back and create a local fundraising athletic event so others could receive the services and support that might lessen the blow of treatment.
The registered not-for-profit society SwimBowen is targeted to do just that.
The fully marshaled 1,000 metre solo or relay open-water swim in Tunstall Bay on July 21 is an opportunity to set some focused training goals, get close and personal with our aquatic backyard all while supporting the SwimBowen Society assisting Bowen Islanders in active cancer treatment.
The route is from Tunstall Bay Beach to Onion Island and back. Relay teams will have their return team mate waiting to tag off on Onion Island. Registration is limited to 50 swimmers so don’t be disappointed!
Register early, dive in and steer your summer fitness in the right direction.
Thanks to our amazing sponsors, the grand prize for the top fundraiser is a return trip with Harbour Air Seaplanes for two to Victoria and one night accommodation at the Huntingdon Manor! Superb!
Along with fantastic draw prizes, and a post event BBQ with Frank Pratt of Soup Fairy fame, SwimBowen will be a hit for sure.
The generosity of SwimBowen sponsors and the enthusiasm for the event brings home the message that takes a village to get through cancer treatment. Thank you to Harbour Air Sea Planes, Lululemon, Huntington Manor, Dee Elliott Personal Real Estate Corporation, Frazer Elliott Realtor®, Mary Lynn Machado Realtor®, Macdonald Realty Ltd, Orchard Recovery Centre, Bowen Island Wellness Centre, First Credit Union, Sea Hiker Swimming, Monica McKinley Realtor® Royal LePage Sussex, Tunstall Bay Beach Club, Bowen Island Sea Kayaking,
